Clutch mechanism



Dec. 19, 19390 P. H. BATTEN CLUTCH MECHANISM Filed Jan. 2l, 1938 3 SheetSSheel. 1

Dec. 19, 1939. P. H. BA1-TEN cLUTcH MEGHANISM Filed Jan. 2l. 1938 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Deco 19 P- HQ CLUTCH MECHANISI Filed Jan. 2l, 1938 :s sheets-sheet :s

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u of dry clutches.

Patented Dec. 19, i939 2,184,135 sturen MEcnAmsM Percy E. Batten, Racine, Wis., assigner to Twin Disc Clutch Company, Racine, Wis., a corporation oi Wisconsin Application January 2i, 193s, serai No. 18eme 9 laims. (Cl.'192-48) My invention relates to a clutch mechanism ior effecting a transmission of power between driving and driven shafts and is more particularly concerned with providing a mechanism of d this character of the spring-loaded type.

The present invention is a modification of that disclosed and claimed in United States Letters Patent No. 2,127,713, dated August 23, 1938. As in theindic'ated application, the present struc- W ture includes a pair of clutches having a common clamping plate which is spring-loaded when either clutch is engaged, the clutch elements including the plate being preferably mounted in' an enclosing casing to thereby permit the use A further similarity resides in the fact that the clutches are held in their ,respective driving positions merely by shifting the clamping plate into either operating position and that the plate is also held in neutral position by a@ the loading springs.

The principal object ci this invention is to provide a diderent type of operating means for engaging either clutch and for applying spring pressure to the clamping plate, the general argg rangement being such that a reduction in the number of parts and an improvement in the structural complexity are eected.

These and further objects of my invention will be set forth in the following specification, referw ence being had to the accompanying drawings, and the novel means by which said objects are edectuated will be definitely pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings:

3g Figure 1 is a sectional elevation of my improved clutch mechanism as viewed along the line i-i in Fig. looking in the direction of the arrows, the common clamping plate 'for the clutches being shown in neutral position,

4@ Fig. 2 is an endv elevation of the mechanism, partly in section, as viewed in the direction of the arrow t in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary, sectional elevation of the mechanism illustrated in Fig. l, showing the 45 positions of the clutch devices and one operator therefor when one of the clutches is engaged.

Fig. 4 is a plan view of the mechanism, partly in section, as viewed inthe direction of the arclow i in Fig. 3.

5o Fig. 5 is a section along the line 5-5 in Fig. 1, looking in the direction of the arrows, and showing the pivotal mounting of one of the operating levers and the relation of the actuating roller thereto.

5g Fig. 6 is a, section along the line 6 6 in Fig. l,

.looking in the direction of the arrows, and showing the driving connection between the clutch casing and the clamping plate and also the pivotal connection of the operating link to the plate.

Referring to Fig. 1, the numeral Il! designates 5 in dotted outline a driving member, such as a flywheel or other part, which is suitably connected toa power source (not shown). A clutch casing II composed of the separable, comple-r mentary ,parts I2 and I3 is secured to one face 10 ofthe flywheel by bolts I4. It will be understood, however, that the direction of drive through the mechanism hereinafter described may be reversed without disturbing the operative relation of the several components of the mechanism. Accordingly, designation of the ilywheel I0 or the clutch casing Il as being a driving element, is intended by way of example only.

One end of a driven shaft I5 is journaled in a bearing IE carried by the casing ypart I2 and go located in axial alignment with the axis of the flywheel, while the opposite end of the shaft may be appropriately supported as generally indicated in the'above noted patent orin any other manner. The shaft is provided with an externally toothed, annular flange il that is in constant mesh with similar teeth provided on the inneru periphery of a ring I8 to which is secured a friction disc i9 whose opposite faces may be provided with suitable friction material. The disc I9 is 30 located adjacent the inner'face of the casing part I2 and a similar friction disc 20 is located adjacent the inner face of the casing part I3. 'I'he disc 2li is secured to a ring 2l whose inner periphery has toothed driving engagement with a Adriven sleeve 22 that surroundsu and is concentric with the shaft I3. The sleeve is supported entirely clear of the shaft by means of a bearing 23 at one end that is carried bythe shaft I5 and at the opposite end by any suitable means (not shown). A

The shaft I5 and sleeve 22 might be regarded as elements for transmitting direct and reverse drives, respectively, in a' marine reverse gear. installation, such as is more particularly illustrated and' described in the aforesaid patent, or they may be connected to a pair of separate mechanisms which it is desired to selectively operate by engaging either clutch. I'hese two clutches are respectively constituted by the clutch part I2 and friction disc I 9, and the clutch part I3 and friction disc 20. Engagement of these clutches, respectively, is accomplished by means of a. commongclamping member or plate 2B which is located between the discs I9 and 20. Driving 55 casing is provided by a plurality i mitted by the use of the enclosed clutch casing,

but the mechanism may also be designed to provide for an operation of these clutches in oil spay or a dipping in oil, as circumstances may require.

As shown in 1, the clutches are occupying a neutral position and the distance between thel opposed faces of the casing parts I 2 and I3 is such that, when the clamping plate is occupying the intermediate position shown, the friction discs I9' and 20 may freely shift endwise to occupy positions out of contact with the faces ofthe plate 24 and the casing parts I2 and I3.

The engagement of the clutches is effected through a plurality of operators which are equispaced around the shaft I5 and, since each of the operators is identical in construction, it will only be necessary to describe one of them in detail. As many of these operators may be employed as circumstances require and, in the present instance, for example, four of these operators are shown.

Still referring to Fig. 1, the driving lug 25 is intermediately slotted to pivotally receive one end of a link 21 that extends towards the right,

as viewed in said figure, through the slot 26 for pivotal connection to one arm of a lever 28 that is pivoted on a pair of opposed pins 29 carried respectively `by the'ends of a pair of bracket arms 3|) that are preferably integrally formed with the casing 'part I3. Radially inward'of the pins 29, the lever 28 is formed with a pair of divergent arms 3| which are symmetrically disposed on opposite sides of a line passing through the axes of the pivot pins 29. 'I'he inner edge face of each arm 3| is smooth and continuous and adjacent the end thereof merges into an arcuate recess 32 for a purpose presently explained. Further, the junction of the edge faces of the arms 3| is also curved, as indicated by the numeral 33, to accommodate the surface of a roller 34.

This roller has a peripheral groove 35 and is positioned between the arms 3| so that the inner faces of either arm may bear against the bottom of the groove as the mechanism is operated,

and thus establish a denite guiding relation between the arms and the roller when the latter is shifted. The roller is freely rotatable on a pin 36 that is bridged between a pairof ears 31 extending outwardly, relative ton the axis of the mechanism, vfrom a ,hollow plunger 38. This plunger is reciprogable in a hollow, radial arm 39 carried by a shiftable sleeve 40. A loading spring 4I is interposed between the opposite ends of the plunger and arm 39 and at all times acts to maintain the roller,34 in contact with some portion of either of the arms 3|, or in the intermediate' position as illustrated in Fig. 1, dependent upon the position of the sleeve 40. n

The sleeve 48 is slidable along a tubular eX- tension 42 having atl one end an annular flange 43 which maybe fastened to the casing part I3. This extension is supported entirely clear of the sleeve 22 and endwise movement of the sleeve 40 towards the left is limited by contact of the radial arm 39 with the flange 43 and in the opposite direction by a stop ring 44 mounted on the extenf sion. In order to shift the sleeve 4 0 along the extension, the sleeve is provided with an annular flange 45 which is received within an annular groove provided in an operating collar 46 having the usual .trunnions 41 for engagement Awith a shifting fork (not shown).

In describing the operation of my improved clutch mechanism, reference will be had more particularly to Figs. 1 and 3. Referring to Fig. l, it will be assumed that the flywheel I0 and hence the clutch casing I| are rotating at some determined speed and that the clamping plate 24 occupies thel neutral position shown. In this position, the roller 34 is seated in the curved portion 33 of the lever. At this time, the spring 4| is under minimum compression, but exerts sufficient pressure against the plunger 38 to maintain the roller and hence the clamping plate in the position illustrated in Fig. 1.

If now it is desiredto transmit a drive to the shaft I5, the sleeve 40 is shifted along the extension 42 towards the right, as viewed in Figs. 1 and 3, thus causing the roller 34 to traverse the right ann. 3| of the operating lever 28 and eiecting a counterclockwise rotation of this lever about its pivot and moving the clamping plate 24 to grip the friction disc I9 against the casing part I2, thereby providing a drive connection between the shaft I5 and the ywheel I 0.

The shifting of the sleeve 48 ordinarily continues until the roller 34 seats ln the right-hand recess 32 and, at this time, the operator' occupies the position substantially as illustrated in Fig. 3. In this position, the roller and the attached plunger 38 have been shifted radially inward to further compress the spring 4| and the reaction therefrom provides the required spring loading on the clamping plate 24. The recess 32 provides a lock for the roller 34 and, in conjunction with the spring 4|, maintains this roller and the associated part inthe position to which it has/been moved. l

The sleeve 40 and the parts carried thereby, including the roller 34, operates substantially as a wedge in .engaging either clutch, due to the straight-line movement of the sleeve, i. e., in an endwise direction. This arrangement also vprovides for automatic compensation for wear of the friction facings on the discs I9 and 2|), since within the range of movement of the several parts, the springs automatically take up wear in the facings.

The manner of engaging the clutch comprising the casing part I3 and the disc 20 is exactly the same as that already described, except that the sleeve 4D is moved toward the left from the position illustrated in Fig. 1 until the roller 34 vis seated in the left-hand recess 32, the lever 28 Moreover, because-the respective clutches are engaged by the simple operation of bodily shifting the operators from one position to another, Athe clutches 'may be thrown into engagement free of any tendency tovgrab or jerk. For any given endwise movement of the sleeve 40, any desired .endwise vmovement of the clamping plate 24 may be eifected by'appropriately relating the angularity ofthe lever arms 3|. Finally, While clutches employing single frictionfplates have 15 been illustrated, it will be understood that the inventionis also capable of adaptation to multiple disc clutches.

I claim: y

l. In clutch mechanism, the combination of clutch devices connected to separate rotary'parts, a clamping member connected to one of the devicesand shiftable to drivably connect both devices, a plurality of levers pivoted on one of the devices and each lever being connected) to the member, a shiftable sleeve, a plurality of plungers slidably and independently mounted on the sleeve and each having a roller for contacting an arm of a lever, springs abutting on the sleeve and acting to maintain the rollers in contact with the respective arms, each arm being angularly disposedto the thrusting direction, of the associatedroller to'thereby load the spring as the sleeve is shifted in a direction to rock the levers andengage the devices.

.2. In clutch mechanism, the combination of clutch devices connected to separate rotary parts, a clamping member connected to one of the devices and shiftable to drivably connect both devices, a lever pivoted on one oi the devices and connected to the member, shiftable Wedge- 'acting means having a spring-actuated element for engaging an4 arm of thelever, the arm being angularly disposed to the thrusting direction of Lthe element to thereby load the element as the means is shifted in a direction to rock the lever 'and engage the devices, Vand a formation on the 45 means. is shii'ted in a direction to rock the lever lever interlocking with the element to hold the 'devices' in engaged position.

'3. In clutch mechanism, the combination of angularly disposed to the thrusting ldirection of the element to thereby load the element as the and engage the devices, and formations on the 'lever interlocking with the element to hold-the member in engaged or neutral position.

4.1m clutch. mechanism, the combination of 'clutch devices connected to separate rotary parte, a clamping member connected to one of the devices and shiftable todrlvably connect both devices, a lever pivoted on one ofthe devices and connected to the member, a shiftable sleeve, a plunger slidably mounted on the sleeve and having a rollerv for contactingl an arm oi' the lever. a spring abutting on the sleeve and acting to maintain the roller in contact with the arm, the arm being angularly disposed to the thrusting direction of the roller to thereby load the psring as theseeve is shifted in a direction to rock the lever and engage the devices. the arm including an arcuate recess for lockingly engaging 'the periphery of the roller when the devices are engaged.

5. In a clutch mechanism, the combination of a pair of clutches, a clamping member common to both clutches and 'shiftable to engage either -clutch, a lever having a pair of divergent arms pivoted on an element forming a part oi each clutch and connected to the member, a shiitable sleeve,- a plunger slidably mounted on the'sleeve and having a roller for caitacting either arm ot the lever, a spring abutting on the sleeve and either arm, both arms being angularly disposed to the thrusting direction of the roller to thereby load the spring as the sleeve is shifter in either direction to rock the lever and engage the associated clutch.

6. In clutch mechanism, the combination of a pair of clutches, a clamping member common to both clutches and shiftable to engage either clutch, a lever having a pair of divergent arms pivoted on an element forming a part of each clutch' and connected to the member, a shiftable sleeve, a plunger slidably mounted on the sleeve and having a roller' for contacting either arm of the lever, a spring abutting on the sleeve and acting to maintain the roller in contact with either arm, both arms being angularly disposed to the thrusting direction -of the roller to thereby load the spring as the sleeve is shifted in either direction to rock the lever and engage the associated clutch, each arm including an arcuate recess for lockingly receiving the roller when the associated clutch is engaged.

7.` In a clutch mechanism; the combination-of a pair of clutches, a clamping member common to both' clutches and shiftable to engage either clutch', a lever having a pair of divergent arms pivoted on anelement forming a part of each clutch and connected to the member, a shiftable sleeve, a plunger slidably mounted on the sleeve and having a roller for contacting either arm of the lever, a spring abutting on the sleeve and acting to maintain the roller in contact witheither arm, both arms being angularly disposed to, the thrusting direction of the roller to thereby load the spring as the sleeve is shifted in a direction to rock the lever and engage the associated acting to maintain the roller in contact with.

clutch, and each arm including an arcuate recess for lockingly engaging the roller to hold the associated clutch in engaged position and the junction of the lever arms being curved to lockingly engage the roller to maintain the clamping plate in neutral position.

8. Inclutch mechanism, the combination oi clutch devices connected to separate rotary parts, an actuating member rotarily connected to one of the devices and operative to drivably .connect both. devices, a .lever pivoted on one of the devices and connected to the member, shiftable wedge-acting means having a slidable element for engaging an arm of the lever, and a spring interposed between the element and a rigid base forming a part of the means and acting to continuously press the element against the arm,

the arm being angularly disposed to the thrusting direction of the element to thereby load the same as the `means is shifted in a direction to rock the lever and engage the devices.

9. In clutch mechanism, the combination ofr a pair of clutches, a clamping member common to both clutches and shiftable to engage either clutch, a lever having a pair of divergent arms a part of the means and acting to continuously' press the element against either arm, both arms being angularly disposed to the `thrusting` dlrection of the element to thereby load the element as the means is shifted in either direction to rock the lever and engage the associated clutch.

PERCY H. BA'II'EN. 

